Translational Science Benefits
Community & public health benefits (Community engagement & wellness)
Definition
Usable community supports and services when and where all people need them that improve health for all. These supports and services are easy to use, acceptable, and with trusted providers. Examples include Mobile health clinics, telemedicine, and Integrated behavioral health.
Rationale
Easily accessible resources enhance the impact of translational science by expanding the availability and reach of preventive health services. Combined together, these three elements promote community health and wellbeing, especially for people who are historically underrecognized.
Guidance
Advice from authors on searching for information:
Focus on academic journals, government reports, and publications from reputable organizations to find accurate and comprehensive information on community supports and services aimed at improving health for all. Additionally, reviewing case studies and best practices from well-established programs can offer valuable insights into effective, user-friendly, and trusted support systems. Engaging with local community organizations and interest holders can also provide context-specific information and firsthand accounts of successful implementations.
Resources & Data
Organizations, repositories, websites, and other sources where you can find more information:
- Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC). Provides funding and resources to improve health care accessibility and health outcomes.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Provides health coverage to more than 160 million through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplace.
- HRSA Data Warehouse. Provides maps, data, reports, and dashboards about HRSA’s health care programs. The website includes a database of Federally Qualified Health Centers and Look-Alikes by state/territory.
Data Limitations
Challenges you may encounter while searching for information:
Limited access to up-to-date and specific data, variability in service provision and quality across different regions, fragmented information spread across multiple sources, and difficulty in identifying trusted and credible providers. Additionally, navigating diverse definitions and standards of what constitutes acceptable and user-friendly services can complicate the search process.
Publications
Articles, books, and other publications in translational science using the indicator:
- DeHaven MJ, Gimpel NA, Kitzman H. Working with communities: Meeting the health needs of those living in vulnerable communities when Primary Health Care and Universal Health Care are not available. J Eval Clin Pract. 2021; 27: 1056–1065. doi: 10.1111/jep.13495.
- Peters LER, Shannon G, Kelman I, Meriläinen E. Toward resourcefulness: Pathways for community positive health. Glob Health Promot. 2022;29(3):5-13. doi: 10.1177/17579759211051370.
- Hunt X, Bradshaw M, Vogel SL, Encalada AV, Eksteen S, Schneider M, Chunga K, Swartz L. Community support for persons with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(14):8269. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19148269.
- Ondocsin J, Ciccarone D, Moran L, Outram S, Werb D, Thomas L, Arnold EA. Insights from drug checking programs: Practicing bootstrap public health whilst tailoring to local drug user needs. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(11):5999. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20115999.